Whitney Houston dies at age 48

SINGAPORE: Popular US singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at age 48, a publicist for the singer said. The cause and location of her death were unclear, as at 9am Singapore time. But Houston's publicist Kristen Foster had been quoted in UK media that the former "Body Guard" star had died. The Grammy Award-winning singer is best known for her strong vocals and high-note-hitting numbers such as "I Have Nothing" and "I Will Always Love You". Houston had been hit with health issues in recent years, including being hospitalised in Paris with nose and throat problems in April 2010. She has sold more than 170 million albums worldwide, but suffered a career setback after admitting drug use during an abusive relationship with her former husband Bobby Brown.